10 Best Museums in Philadelphia

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is the first US museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of African Americans. Located on North 9th Street, just south of Franklin Square, the museum has been providing an enlightening and educational experience since 1976.

Exhibitions are divided into The African Diaspora, Contemporary Narrative, and the Philadelphia Story. You'll see artefacts and memorabilia from the abolitionist movement, which was started in Philadelphia, as well as other memos from organisations like the Black Panthers. The 2nd floor features a recorded live performance of Henry “Box” Brown, who escaped slavery by mail. It’s a museum that everyone should visit, providing info that’s hard to find in the history books.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a mosaic art space and gallery on South Street, between 10th and 11th Streets. Covering about half a city block, this area was curated by local artist Isaiah Zagar, who started work in the 1960s to help regenerate the area.

Zagar's mosaics can be found all around Philadelphia, but the Magic Gardens and galleries are the centrepieces. You can stroll the outdoor labyrinth, with brightly coloured mosaics guiding you through paths lined with ceramics, mirrors, and even recyclable materials like bike frames and china plates. The indoor galleries don't disappoint either, showcasing Latin-American art, some of which you can buy straight off the wall.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of Philadelphia's most famous buildings. It sits at the southern end of Fairmount Park, at the top of what has become known as "Rocky's Steps". Once you've climbed – or run – up the steps, you'll reach a square surrounded by 3 classically inspired façades that house the museum.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s various galleries house over 240,000 paintings, sculptures, and trinkets from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. From ancient Pre-Columbian artefacts to modern greats like Picasso and Salvador Dalí, the museum captivates you with its extensive collection. Exploring the entire museum would take a couple of days, so it's worth making a list of the exhibitions you want to see most before your visit.

The Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison-turned-museum that has detained some of America's most notorious criminals, most notably "Scarface" Al Capone. Situated just a few blocks down from Fairmount Park, the well-preserved complex features crumbling guard towers and empty cells, bringing a truly haunting aura.

A guide-led tour is on at certain times, but you can opt for an audio tour narrated by Steve Buscemi. You'll hear stories from over 20 guards and inmates as you walk in their footsteps down the echoey halls. An eerie atmosphere seeps from every cell, especially the solitary confinement and death row.

The Benjamin Franklin Museum sits on the site where Ben Franklin lived in Philadelphia for almost 30 years before his death in 1790. Sitting on Chestnut Street, just west of the Delaware River, the museum is part of a complex of other historical sites celebrating the life of one of America's Founding Fathers.

You start your journey by walking through a beam structure where the house once stood. The museum contains trinkets from the house, tales of Ben's life as a leading abolitionist, and interactive activities and displays for kids and adults alike. You'll only need about 1 hour to get around, so it's well worth stopping by.

The National Liberty Museum was founded to protect and educate people on the "strength and fragility of liberty". Sitting on Chestnut Street between 3rd and 4th, it's a modern museum that looks at tales of freedom movements and preserves the memories of the people who spearheaded them.

The museum focuses on notable figures such as the first African American MLB player Jackie Robinson, Nelson Mandela, and 2014 Nobel peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai. Your journey starts with a stroll past a replica of Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell in the Welcome Gallery, which is free for all the public. There's also an amazing glass sculpture exhibition, a highlight being the 20-ft-tall Flame of Liberty sculpture.

The Franklin Institute is an interactive science museum at the southern end of Fairmount Park, right next to Logan Square. It’s one of the best museums in Pennsylvania, as well as one of America's oldest science education and research centres.

Named after “America’s first scientist”, the Franklin Institute is great for visitors of all ages. Stare into space or track yourself live by satellite from the observatory, check out a real locomotive or replica of the Wright Brothers' plane, or learn about the inner workings of the human mind and body with giant interactive displays. Travelling exhibitions regularly take place at the museum. Past themes include Tutankhamun, the Titanic and Darwin, so it’s a good idea to check the centre’s social media or website.

The USS Becuna is a former submarine of the US Navy that’s docked in Penn’s Landing in the Delaware River, at the bottom of Spruce Street. Having earned 4 battle stars in World War II, she’s now designated a National Historic Landmark.

Since it’s quite rare to explore a submarine that fought at Pearl Harbor, the USS Becuna is one of Philadelphia’s most visited attractions. You can tour the entire vessel – it’s hard to believe just how small the living quarters were until you see them. Onsite guides are more than happy to share some unbelievable tales about the submarine’s history.

The Museum of the American Revolution aims to educate people on the ideals of the era through visual and interactive models. You’ll find it on Chestnut Street between 2nd and 3rd, aptly just down from Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed.

The museum tells the story of the revolution and how the Thirteen Colonies rose to gain independence. There are plenty of rifles, flags, and other trinkets from the war. George Washington’s tent and sword are often enough of a pull for any history buff. The museum also does a really good job of telling the story from the perspective of Native Americans and African Americans.

The Science History Institute is a scientific research organisation with a free museum and a small art gallery at the back. You'll find it in Center City, on Chestnut Street close to 3rd Street.

The museum mainly focuses on chemistry and how it shapes both ourselves and our world. You can learn about the story of the discovery of DNA, with machines and tools used to make these discoveries being part of the display. There’s an exhibition on the chemistry of water, on how it preserves our world, and how it’s treated and preserved for use in our daily lives. The guides at the front are really helpful and can answer any questions you have about the museum.